Manalapan

About Manalapan Township

Manalapan is a family-friendly suburban township located in western Monmouth County. Centrally located, its 40,000-plus residents enjoy proximity to the Jersey Shore and are just 45 miles southwest of New York City. Manalapan boasts excellent schools, well-maintained streets, four-seasons of recreation, as well as 300 years of history.

Manalapan History

Manalapan was established in 1848, but its story is critical to the Revolutionary War. Manalapan is home to Monmouth Battlefield State Park, which opened on the 200th anniversary of the 1778 Battle of Monmouth at which General Washington restored his reputation. Whether you visit the park during the annual battle re-enactment or at a quieter moment, you may see mention of Mary Pitcher.

Following the troops were the wives and sisters who cooked, tended the wounded, and brought drinking water to the soldiers. Legend has it that Mary Pitcher, fresh water in hand, arrived at her husband’s side as he was mortally wounded; so she took his place and fired the cannon. Additional historic preservation at the park includes three farmhouses still standing that were erected before the war, the oldest being Sutfin House from 1731. The area’s earliest history is evident in the name Manalapan, which is derived from the Lenape language for words that together indicate good land on which to settle.

Living and Working in Manalapan

The township’s motto is A Great Place to Live, and residents say Manalapan is a clean, safe place—but it’s expensive. With its proximity to metropolitan New York and the Jersey Shore, housing prices run well above the national average, yet almost 90 percent of residents own their homes.

Career sectors in Monmouth County include healthcare, hospitality, finance, education, telecommunications, and computer science. Manalapan is a great location for a hybrid workweek for those who work in New York City or the greater metropolitan area.

Things to do in Manalapan

Manalapan Recreation Center hosts annual celebrations that bring the entire community together, including Manalapan Day, Movies in the Park, and Summer Concerts. In addition to its history and annual re-enactment, Monmouth Battlefield State Park offers plenty of recreational action such as hiking, biking, mountain biking, cross-country skiing, and horseback riding.

Near the picnic grounds is a playground, a sledding hill, and plenty of room to fly a kite. Residents can head to the Jersey Shore for swimming, fishing, crabbing, boating, and birding—and take their pick of beaches from Long Branch to Asbury Park to points south.

Manalapan Transportation

Manalapan is close to major arteries such as Interstate 95/New Jersey Turnpike and Garden State Parkway, while U.S. Route 9 and State Route 33 run through the township. New Jersey Transit operates bus service to the area. Keep an eye out for the potential Monmouth Ocean Middlesex line, which would make rail travel to the New York City area even more convenient.

Manalapan Schools

Within Manalapan Township’s borders is the independent Englishtown Borough, and together they operate Manalapan-Englishtown Regional School District. The award-winning public schools strive for excellence from pre-K through high school for all learners. Brookdale Community College has a regional campus in Freehold, Manalapan’s immediate neighbor, and other Monmouth County locations.

With its central location, four-season recreational opportunities, and top-notch schools, Manalapan Township is a fantastic place for young professionals, growing families, empty nesters, and retirees.